Category: Interviews

Daily Author Interview: Sean Valiente

1) What inspired you to write?

I think a combination of my love for stories, the characters in my head, and my mom were really the biggest inspirations for me to write. I’ve always loved stories, whether they were on tv, a movie, a book, or made up in my head, and my mom spent a lot of my childhood writing plays for church. So it was never out of the realm of possibility that I could write, but when I finally latched onto the idea of a character, and started building the world around him, that’s when I was moved to write more formally.

2) Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites?

I am a reader, although I would have to admit I mostly listen to audiobooks now because it’s easier to do when I’m busy. I’m a big fantasy fan and fell in love with the genre when I picked up Redwall. Then there was Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Eragon and more. Lately, I’ve been really into Brent Weeks two series, the Night Angel Trilogy and the Lightbringer Series.

3) What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future?

My debut novel, The Lightning Knight, is my only book I have out now. It’s a classic fantasy story with a fun twist on the traditional hero’s journey and really focuses on teenage character relationships. I have a plan to write many more books continuing this story, with hopefully the next book out sooner rather than later!

4) Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors?

Write, write, and write some more. Even if it feels like you’re writing garbage, just write. Get the words out. And then… take a break. The biggest impact I had with my writing was taking a break away from my manuscript in-between drafts (and sometimes in the middle of drafts). It allows you to come back with fresh eyes, see the forest through the trees, and let the ideas settle in your head. 

5) What influenced you as a writer?

The biggest influence for me was Christopher Paolini. When I read Eragon, it was like hanging out with an old friend, and then I learned that he was a teenager when he wrote that epic tome, and I said to myself, “I bet I could do that too!” Beyond that, other influences have been a lot of my favorite media (tv, movies, books) as well as personal life experiences. That’s the cool thing about books and stories – they are static in that they don’t change, but you as a reader are different every time you read them. What you bring as a reader changes what you get out of the book, and it’s similar to writing. What I brought to my writing three years ago is vastly different than what I bring to it now, and that change in life and the world is the biggest influence of all. 

Author Website: https://www.seanvaliente.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QL2DM9T

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56483580-the-lightning-knight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seanpvaliente

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StayAtHomeSean

Author Interview: RG Long

1) What inspired you to write?My love of video games growing up and all things fantasy like Warhammer and Dragonlance novels. Plus I’ve always enjoyed creating a good story. It’s been something I’ve done since I was a kid!

2) Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites?I wish I was better at it to be honest! My all time favorites are Redwall by Brian Jaques, the Lord of the Rings trilogy (sorry The Hobbit) and a new favorite is The Way of Kings, though I’m already behind on the series!

3) What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future?I’m desperately trying to finish my 15 book series “The Legends of Gilia”. I’m on book 14 and it’s been a wild ride to get to this point! I’ve loved making a HUGE world for my readers to dive into and can’t wait to finish the epic journey.

4) Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors?Write the dang book! Who cares if it’s bad to start? Just get it out there! Learn and get better! Trying, failing, and then learning from the failure is WAY better than being paralyzed by fear or the threat of one star reviews!

5) What influenced you as a writer?Daniel Arenson. He’s a phenomenal author and he’s the reason I hit publish in the first place. Great author who cares about his work and his craft and is just a super guy.
Social media Links:

twitter.com/rglongauthor

facebook.com/rglongauthor

instagram.com/rglongauthor

Legends of Gilia Boxed Set:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08H8CNJYB/

Sword of Ruyn, Book 1:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079QVQ3RR/

Author Interview: Evangeline Rain

1) What inspired you to write?

Started out with fan fiction from movies mainly. Many times I wanted a side character to have their own story or I wanted a different outcome for the main characters. The urge to create is especially strong when I feel the romance or relationship development between the characters weren’t enough for me, like Rey and Kylo, Tauriel and Kili etc

2) Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites?

I’m an avid reader. I read hundreds of books before I actually gathered to courage to try my hand at writing. I have too many one-click everything authors to name, but my favorite genre is UF romance. 

3) What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future?

I’ve just published Book 2 of my Sci Fi Romance series and I’m working on Book 3. There after I’ll write the Book 2 of my Chinese Historical Romance. If my brain is still working after this, I’ll try my hand at expanding a short paranormal romance I wrote or a contemporary romcom.

4) Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors?

With just 3 books, I’m not there yet to give any advice, but do join 20bookto50K group in FB. The people inside are most helpful.

5) What influenced you as a writer?

World issues. As a literature student, I learned how writing can bring about the awareness of the ills of the society. I think inevitably, my work reflects on my environment and how I perceive the future, even though my main genre is romance.  

Author Interview: Anthony Tonelli

  1. What inspired you to write?

I have always loved storytelling and I knew that I had ideas in my head, so I decided to go for it and I just released my first book.

  1. Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites?

Yes, I love to read but unfortunately time is not my ally.  Any quiet time I get, I write or work on promotion.  However, I love reading classics.  Not just sci-fi but anything classic from the 1800s especially.  I love reading Wells, Verne, and especially Poe.  Modern writers: Asimov, Serling, King, Gaiman and Dan Brown.

  1. What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future?

My latest (also my first) is Legacy which was released in English on April 13th and in Spanish on April 20th.  Originally a short story, it has morphed into Book One of The Dominion series.  I’m already writing book 2 and there will definitely be a third one.

  1. Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors?

Keep at it, don’t give up.  I found that writing is the easy part so focus on that being strong.  Everything else you will learn as you go.

  1. What influenced you as a writer?

I was always a big fan of sci-fi and horror growing up.  I was first exposed to films before books in those genres.   The 4 most influential films/tv shows were Alien, The Exorcist, Star Trek (TOS) and the Twilight Zone which to this day is still my favorite tv show ever.

Author interview: Alan Hesse

  1. What inspired you to write?

I believe that I can make positive impact on people, particularly children, through my books. I am inspired by my ability to create meaningful scenarios and worlds populated by fictional, visually amusing characters that deliver important, factual content about subjects I care deeply about. They say an image is worth 1000 words, and I know that humans make decisions based on their emotions. These are universal truths that inspire me to create graphic novels that are bursting with high quality imagery and carefully researched information, combining these elements with fast-paced, action-packed stories to really get into readers’ minds and hearts and make a difference. 

My overriding inspiration however is Nature, our planet and all the living beings on it. This inspiration currently drives me to spread awareness and technical literacy in climate change. By doing this through my graphic novels I hope to make important messages come across both clearly and in an entertaining fashion. I am still a conservation scientist but I find that I actually have more impact on people’s awareness through my graphic novels than through scientific writing. 

  1. Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites?

I am a reader and always have been! In my own writing genre I am a big fan of the European style ‘bande dessinée’ graphic novels such as Asterix, and Tintin. However I mostly read historical non -fiction and fiction, interspersed with some business books and, to really get away from it all, some science fiction / fantasy from time to time. I also love biographies about inspiring people, from contemporary rock stars to leaders and adventurers of the past. 

  1. What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future?

The Adventures of Captain Polo: Pole to Pole is the fourth book in my Adventures of Captain Polo series of fact-based fiction, educational graphic novels about climate change. This book has an open ending, like all of its predecessors, and my next project is to create the sequel, which I am tentatively calling ‘Antarctica’. That will be Book 5 in the series, and it will take Captain Polo, my main character (an anthropomorphic polar bear) and his friend Penguin to explore the Antarctic, visiting parts of South America en route. Asa with the other books in this series, I will use the story and characters to explore climate and environmental issues as well as solutions in those locations. 

4) Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors?

Start by really getting clear about who you are writing for. What is your target audience? If you write children’s books as I do, you also need to figure out the target buyer. This is not as easy as it sounds for all of us! But having a clear idea of who you are targeting will clear the path and save a lot of wasted time and money when it comes to marketing your book. You also have to get rid of the false notion that landing a deal with a publisher will take care of all the promotion and marketing – that won’t happen! Given that an author nowadays also has to also be an entrepreneur to promote and market their books, the one golden rule is to keep on creating new books and learn how to promote and market them at the same time. In time, with enough books to your name, it will be easier to reach success, because each book cross promotes the others, and platforms like Amazon value volume, so the more books you write the better. 

5) What influenced you as a writer?

The legendary authors of Asterix & Obelix – René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo – along with Hergé, creator of Tintin. These styles, though dated and hardly known in the US, are very powerful influences of my own style. As a cartoonist I was also influenced by Carl Giles, a very popular post-war journalistic cartoonist in Britain. Giles’ cartoons are known for the amount of detail, often brimming with satire, in the background. I like to do the same, and any careful reader of my books will often see little details in the background, like an escaping rat for example! 

The environmental theme all my books have is influenced by my love for Nature, wildlife, and many exotic locations I have had the fortune to visit or live in. These led to my professional career, and they are also present throughout my books. 

Related to the environmental theme is culture; I have traveled widely and lived in many countries, and the influence of multiple cultures, languages and settings are part of my creative approach. Some people label such elements as stereotypes, which in a sense they are, but they are to be taken in context of my inspiration and life experience. When you do that, then you understand my books are actually all about celebrating and honoring diversity, in all of its forms.   

https://www.facebook.com/alan.j.hesse/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanjhesse1/

https://twitter.com/AlanJamesHesse1

https://www.pinterest.com/alanjhesse/

ttps://www.instagram.com/alanjameshesse

/ttps://youtube.com/channel/UCOwqvoU6E118sCHMcVFILVg

Author Interview: Anne C. Miles

1)What inspired you to write?

I was quite angry with a beloved author after I saw him say something I strongly disagree with in an interview. I signed up for Wattpad the next day, determined to write something which would put him in his place on that issue. I hope I have succeeded in some small way.

2) Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites?

Yes. I love the Wheel of Time series, the Lord of the Rings, and The Chronicles of Narnia.

3) What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future?
My latest work is a ghost-writing book. I’m writing my prequel to the Call of the Lorica series now because I do not know what happens and I need to know so I can write book two. I’m a gardener-writer, a discovery writer. I have to write to know what is going on.

4) Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors?
Love your book. I think if you love your book, you will be able to weather critics and contests much easier. When my book was first published I was afraid to really promote it. I had been to a con and one book there, a debut book, swept all of the awards.

I got home and read that book. It was not my cup of tea. In comparison, I loved my book. After that, I had no problem promoting and getting behind my work. But it took seeing how good it really was in comparison to other books to see it.

5) What influenced you as a writer?

Robert McKee and Stephen Pressfield and John Granger’s books on literary alchemy influenced my writing. I studied things they have written (all their books) and was deeply influenced by them.
Social media links:
Facebook: facebook.com/loricaauthor

Instagram: instagram.com/loricaauthor
Website: https://www.sorrowfish.com

Author Interview: Scott W Kimak

  1. What inspired you to write? 

As a child I fell in love with Edgar Rice Burroughs and devoured every one of his books. I imagined myself being Tarzan and John Carter and let myself be whisked away into those fantasy worlds. I would say he was my main inspiration to become an author.

2) Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites? 

Anything by R.A. Salvatore, Stephen King, or Tom Clancy.

3) What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future? 

My newest work is part two of the “I call him HIM” trilogy. It’s called “The Angel of Death” and comes out May 6th. I’m about 75% done with the third book and hope to have that one ready for preorder this summer. 

4) Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors?

Yes, be patient and develop a following before you publish your first book. Also, take a ton of webinars and learn how to market your books.

5) What influenced you as a writer?

All the great authors that I’ve read through the years and my own personal experiences. I incorporate many things that happened to me throughout my life and add a little fictional twist to make it more exciting.

https://www.i-call-him-him.webnode.com
https://twitter.com/ScottKimak
https://www.facebook.com/scott.kimak/
Https://www.instagram.com/scottkimak/

Author Interview: Cully Mack

1) What inspired you to write?
I have always read, but never considered writing until after attending a beginner’s
writing course in 2012. My mind exploded with ideas. I had created a character called
Ammo. He never left my head. You could say I’d got the buzz. Not knowing how to write or structure a story, I returned to University to study English Literature and Creative Writing. As a mature student, I had a blast. I stayed on and completed my Master’s in Creative Writing.Ammo is now a character in my books. Maybe you have heard of him? If you have, keep quiet or it will go to his head. Regardless, he will always have a special place in my heart. Even though he is a rogue!

2) Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites?
My favourite genres are epic and high fantasy (although I read many others). A few of my
favourite fantasy authors are Robert Jordan, Raymond Feist, Brent Weeks, Brandon
Sanderson, John Gwynne, Jay Kristof and Patrick Rothfuss.  
More recently I have been reading YA/NA and I like Sarah J Maas, Raye Wagner and Jennifer
Armentrout.
I also love reading classics. Everything from Virginia Woolf to the Iliad.

3) What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future?

My latest book is the fourth in the Voice that Thunders series and is called A Vow That
Clashes.The series follows Mirah and Gabe (siblings) who are at the centre of the conflict between
conquering immortals who rule as terrifying gods. It’s epic fantasy. Think epic battles with
Immortals and beasts of all kinds, throw in some elemental magic, huge plot twists, portals
and unique worlds, intense romance and an ever-growing amount of characters trying to
save their world. If you like character-driven fantasy, you’ll love my books. I warn you now; I
don’t go easy on them…I have just published the fourth book in the series, entitled A Vow That Clashes. Gabe . As vows and destiny collide, he faces a devastating choice: abandon the people
and his allies or forsake his beloved sister. The choice he makes will either bring salvation or
destruction.I’m currently writing book five in my series, which is due out later this year.

4) Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors?

Don’t quit! Hold on to your dreams! Believe in yourself and stay true to your vision. So much
will come your way and try to shake you, hold on. Quitters never make it.
Writing can be isolating, and sometimes you wonder if anyone even reads/enjoys your
work. Reviews help a lot. A well-timed review has saved my sanity more than once when
I’ve been second guessing myself.  If you are writing your first book, don’t wait until it’s finished before building your profile.Create a short story, prequel or novella, and start getting yourself out there.

5) What influenced you as a writer?
I have a fascination for mythology. The older the better. My primary sources are from myths
from Mesopotamia. Most people have never heard of them. This is because, until around
150 years ago, the cuneiform tablets detailing their accounts was undecipherable.
Mesopotamia is otherwise known as the birthplace of civilization and its historical setting is
in the ancient near east. Differing cultures lived in proximity, so there is a blending of myths
and traditions. I mainly draw from the Sumerians, the Akkadians, the Semites and the
Babylonians.YA readers may have heard the term Nephilim from Cassandra Clare’s series or watching
Supernatural among other popular sources. Most modern Nephilim depictions are drawn
from Semite sources such as the Book of Enoch, where they are portrayed in an urban
setting and regarded as fallen angel/human hybrids. As interesting as this is, the Semite
account is only one version of the mythos. Mesopotamian texts differ on many topics. For example, creation epics, deity names and culture heroes. But they agree on one thing… the gods came, slept with human women, and created giant hybrid offspring. Yes, those Titans, gods and beastly monsters from
Greek, Roman and biblical myths were known to older civilizations! Some saw these gods
in a positive light, others as negative. It makes for great conflict. I wanted to create a work
more aligned with the earliest accounts of this mythos.

Links:
Book Amazon link for 1 st book http://viewbook.at/AVoiceThatThunders
Amazon series link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089B1NGCH
Amazon author link: https://www.amazon.com/Cully-Mack/e/B07QBLXZLT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19033629.Cully_Mack
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CullyMack
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CullyMack
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cullymackauthor/

Author Interview: The Kept King

1) What inspired you to write?

I’ve always wanted to write a novel, yet it took experiencing Brandon Sanderson’s The Way of Kings at just the right time in my life. It touched me in a way that gave me that push: I write in hopes of giving that feeling to my readers. 

2) Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites?

Yes! Of course, Brandon Sanderson is at the top of that list. But I also love the Dragonlance universe, and Jim Butcher’s Dresden files. Some indies I’ve enjoyed recently were books by CT Phipps, Kassandra Flamouri, and JMD Reid & Michael Evan.  

3) What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future?

My most recent release is The Kept King, a fantasy/mystery full of plot twists. My current work in progress is Elements of Creation, the follow-up to my debut Shadows of Creation.

4) Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors?

Stay focused day-to-day but remember that being an author is a long game. 

5) What influenced you as a writer?

This is a difficult question, as I feel influenced by nearly every aspect of life. My writing is a culmination of all of my experiences; my characters are bits and pieces of people I’ve known – frankensteined together. I can speak to specific scenes that have influences, but I try to draw on my life experience for my works at large.

Ryan D. Meier

www.ryandmeier.com

www.worldhoppersguild.com

www.facebook.com/ryandmeierbooks

www.goodreads.com/ryandmeier